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Screen with warning of Virus and malicious applications pop up screen

Hi,

I got this message today on my Mac OSX, is it legit? Should I call apple support? I called and someone with Indian accent answered. Thank you!

User uploaded file

MacBook, iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Mar 14, 2018 7:01 AM

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Posted on Apr 19, 2018 10:46 AM

You can force quit Safari. Press Command+Option+Esc. Choose Safari in the list and click Force Quit. Close the window.


Now, hold the Shift key down and relaunch Safari. That tells it not to load any previous web sites from the previous session.

47 replies

May 9, 2018 3:14 AM in response to swrs

I got the same message this morning, while backing up my iPhone. Thankfully I noticed the IP address was a fake address and closed the open window. Just thought apple should know about it, before it goes viral and or becomes an issue.

User uploaded file

Your system is infected with 3 viruses!Wednesday, 9 May 2018 11:01

Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!


The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with OSX.
Personal and banking information are at risk.

To avoid more damage click on 'Scan Now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
1 minute and 38 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.

Jul 8, 2018 7:06 AM in response to wetherbyss

If that was a popup from a website that downloaded a file directly from them, that wasn't Flash you installed. At minimum, it was adware. Hopefully, nothing worse.


It's possible it may be easily removed by opening Safari's preferences and disabling any extensions you don't recognize. If that stops the ads, remove the disabled extension.


If the ads persist, download and run MalwareBytes for Mac. It will look for, and offer to remove any garbage it finds.


In the future, never, ever believe any site that tells you to update Flash, Java, that you need a codec, or anything else that comes from them. The one and only place to acquire Flash is from Adobe. Java from Oracle (for the latest version), or Java 6 from Apple.

Jul 18, 2018 6:33 AM in response to wetherbyss

Started when I got notice to update Flash player.

That wasn't Flash. You installed a newer forum of malicious adware that intentionally blocks access to certain sites. All in the attempt to prevent you from removing it and believing you need to call whatever crook's phone number is displayed.


In the future, never, ever believe any site that tells you to update Flash, Java, that you need a codec, or anything else that comes from them. The one and only place to acquire Flash is from Adobe. Java from Oracle (for the latest version), or Java 6 from Apple.


Restart the Mac in Safe Mode (restart and hold down the Shift key). This will prevent all but the most basic OS functions from loading. From there, you'll be able to download and run MalwareBytes for Mac. It will look for, and offer to remove any garbage it finds.


The screen may flicker or draw with strange looking horizontal strips as Safe Mode boots. That's normal since the OS is using a very generic video driver instead of the one meant for your graphics hardware.

Mar 14, 2018 7:37 AM in response to swrs

Sites CAN determine your Router's IP Address, and can use it to look up your rough location.

Sites CAN determine what Browser you SAY you are using (but this can be spoofed with settings in many Browsers).


NO ONE can determine whether your Mac has a Virus or other malware from outside your Mac. (It is somewhat difficult to determine from INSIDE, even when you go looking for them.) These are ALWAYS a SCAM.


Why would you ever trust an outsider who provides such unsolicited advice -- they will lie to you to get your money or access to your computer.


No legitimate company works this way -- they just shut off your account and just wait for you to contact them.

Apr 8, 2018 9:15 AM in response to garberark

If you keep going to the same site, you'll keep seeing the same scam. You also may have installed adware that is redirecting you to the site.


Check the installed extensions in Safari's preferences (if there are any). Disable and remove any you don't recognize. Also, check under the General tab to see if your homepage has been changed.

Jun 21, 2018 7:01 PM in response to swrs

I've gotten the same thing. It happens in Chrome as well as Safari. Force Quit is the only way out of it. Two differences:


In Chrome I get multiple files trying (and failing) to download. Keep getting the download indications at the bottom of the window.

In Safari it keeps opening finder windows.


The website this comes from has an .ml domain, which signifies the country of Mali.

Jun 27, 2018 3:44 PM in response to swrs

Now that there are many who have agreed that they get this also, my question is; what is the fix for this.


I took my MacBook to Apple at at Mall near me. The man fixed it for me. However, yesterday my daughter was using my MacBook and it is back. I do not know where the man went to fix this, so....how is this fixed?


What happens on my Mac, is that same page actually 'takes over' and I cannot get off it. It freezes me out. So, I have to delete history, close down Safari, and start all over again to what I was doing online. This gets old the first time it happens.


Along with this, and I would guess because of this, what happens is when I first open Safari, the rainbow ball keeps spinning and spinning, like it's loading things, and that also freezes me out for a time. Safari never did this before getting the junk threatening webpage.


So.....why is this coming through my Mac security settings? and continuing interrupting what I am doing online? - HOW do I clear this off Safari on my Mac? Short of taking my Mac to Apple again?

Jun 27, 2018 4:57 PM in response to BluebirdDay

It’s very easy to clear. In most cases, all you need to do is Force Quit Safari, then hold down the Shift key while relaunching it. That tells Safari not to load any sites from the last session.


Appearing to be stuck is nothing but a browser trick. Whether it’s an actual page or a popup, JavaScript is holding you there. When you attempt to leave the site or close the popup, the last JavaScript command is to reload the same thing. You’re really just stuck in a simple loop.


As far as avoiding them, quit going to the sites that cause them to appear. They don’t show up randomly. You have to visit a particular site that displays this junk, or a site that redirects you to one. Keep visiting the same sites and you’ll keep getting the same result.

Screen with warning of Virus and malicious applications pop up screen

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